Super neighborhoods to weigh in on Metro rail

By: ERIC ERVIN

Published 7:00 pm, Wednesday, August 17, 2005

The Joint Council of Super Neighborhoods for districts within the Afton Oaks-River Oaks area and Greenway Plaza-Upper Kirby area will hold a public meeting 8:30 a.m. Wednesday to discuss the potential impact of a Metro light rail line running through any of the neighborhoods.

In June, Metro announced the possibility of an east-west light rail line being installed along Richmond Avenue. Previous proposals for the route had centered primarily on an area along Westpark Drive to the south.

Also on the agenda is an update on a proposed quiet zone that would eliminate the use of horns by trains on the Union Pacific tracks extending from San Felipe Street to slightly south of the South Loop 610.

The quiet zone already has been approved by the cities of West University Place and Bellaire and is expected to be considered by Houston City Council later this month.##M:(full story)##

In order for a proposed quiet zone to become sanctioned, crossings within its area must meet strict, updated safety requirements as mandated by the Federal Railroad Commission.

Each of the affected crossings must have a separate design for safety features, which primarily consist of medians and gates designed to prevent motorists from going around railroad crossing arms. Additional signs will indicate that no horns will be blown by trains.

The Super neighborhoods representatives will also hear a status report on last years Super Neighborhood Action Plan.

The meeting will take place in Upper Kirby District building, 3015 Richmond Ave., in the first-floor meeting room.

The two Super Neighborhoods are bordered roughly by Buffalo Bayou, Shepherd Drive, Bissonnet Street and West Loop 610.